Do This, Not That: Sex Positions to Skip When You’re Pregnant

Some women consider sex a big No during pregnancy while some are hesitant to go ahead and enjoy it as they dread that it could harm the unborn baby. But this is not true and you can have an active sex life during pregnancy, but of course with some care. Check with your doctor and once he gives you a go signal to have sex during pregnancy, there is no harm in taking the plunge. The doctor will permit you to have sex only if you have an uncomplicated pregnancy. In a normal pregnancy, you do not have to stay away from mating with your partner as long as both of you are comfortable doing it. Even though you can enjoy sex during pregnancy, there are certain precautions that need to be taken. Using condoms during intercourse and cleaning vagina after intercourse ensures the safety of your unborn child and reduce the chances of any kind of infection. Also not all sex positions are safe during pregnancy. There are some positions that favor the pregnancy and some positions that should be avoided when you are pregnant. Read on to know which sex positions to avoid during pregnancy.

Trimester-Wise Sex: What To Look Forward To And What To Avoid

Let us divide the pregnancy period trimester wise and discuss the positions that favorable and positions that need to be avoided during each trimester. Before you try out any of the below mentioned sex positions or even before you have sex while you are pregnant, speak with your doctor and get clearance from him. Try these sex positions only when you get a go ahead from your doctor.

Sexual Positions During The First Trimester

The first trimester is the most favorable period of pregnancy for sex. All your private parts will be extra sensitive as the increased blood circulation and your belly will still not grow. As a result sex can be fun. Also having sex during the initial months will help you to take your mind off the pregnancy related fatigue and nausea that are very common during the early weeks. Also as your hormones will be all charged up during the first trimester and your breasts and other parts will be super sensitive and reciprocal to touch, your urge to have sex may rise during this period. Therefore during the first trimester of your pregnancy sex will be fun and pleasurable and you can enjoy sex without any inhibitions.

Safe sex positions:
All positions are safe during the first trimester of pregnancy. You can explore all positions, even hardest one from Kamasutra to the simple missionary position, as any position will be ok during the first trimester.
Oral sex is safe only if you take these precautions:

Do not blow into the vagina as blowing air into the vagina during oral sex can be very dangerous because the chances of air embolism (blockage of the blood vessel by an air bubble) can be very high. An air embolism could prove fatal for you and your baby

Always clean the vagina thoroughly after having oral sex

Positions to avoid:

Even though all positions are safe during the first trimester, vigorous or rough sex should be avoided

Avoid anal sex as it increases the chances of an infection passing from the rectum to the vagina (especially if the anal sex is followed by vaginal sex)

Sexual Positions During The Second Trimester

The 13th week to 27th week of pregnancy are considered as the second trimester. By the second trimester, most of your pregnancy nausea and fatigue will either be gone completely, or come down to lower levels. As a result, you will feel fresh and enthusiastic towards sex. The pregnancy hormones will still be super-charged and make you want to do all that much more in bed with your partner. You will also begin to detect your baby’s movement between 16th and 22nd week of your pregnancy. That is, during your second trimester, you can likewise feel the movement of your baby when you are having sex. The movement will increase when you have orgasm, which is quite normal.

Safe sex positions:
You can try out the following positions during the second trimester.

Spooning: In the spooning position, you and your partner can lie down side-by-side. This position will not put pressure on your belly. The vaginal penetration will be shallow providing more comfort

Woman- on- top: Considering yourself on the top during sex is a good idea to keep off the pressure from your belly. In this position, you can straddle your partner from above. While you try out the woman-on-top position, you can take some extra support by holding on to your bed or the back of the couch. As your pregnancy progresses, there will be a gradual shift in your balance, so it is always better to have some support which in turn will also help you to move up and down while you straddle your partner

Doggy style: This is the most favored position during the second trimester of pregnancy. In this position, you will have kneel on all fours as your partner takes position behind you. In Doggy style, your partner will penetrate from back in your vagina. The doggy style position is especially helpful if you experience any pain in your lower back or pelvic region, as it takes the pressure off from these areas

Scissor position: Here lovemaking is done while lying down face to face. This is a less penetrating position

Positions to avoid:
It is better to avoid the positions in which you have to be on your back such as missionary position. This is because when you are on your back in missionary position and your partner is on top of you, the growing uterus may squeeze the main blood vessels, which can slow the blood flow to the placenta

Sexual Positions During The Third Trimester

Once you enter the third trimester, the belly becomes big and you will have to try out positions that make you comfortable and work less. Other concerns during the third trimester are: amniotic fluid leakage, bleeding, back pain, fatigue, cramps, etc. so, it is recommended not to engage in sexual intercourse four weeks preceding your due date regardless of how you feel.

Safe sex position:
Some safe sex positions during the final trimester are: doggy style, spooning, woman on top or rear entry

Positions to avoid:

Strictly avoid those sex positions in which you have to be on your back like the missionary position

Should You Use Condoms During Pregnancy?

Using a condom while you are having sex while you are pregnant will help to prevent the risk of any sexually transmitted diseases which can increase the chances of infection to you and your unborn baby. In case your partner is suffering from any such disease, it is better to avoid sex altogether, with or without a condom.

Also, there is a common belief that having sex during pregnancy can harm the unborn baby. But this is not true as the unborn baby is protected in amniotic fluid inside your uterus. Having sex will not harm your unborn baby in any way until you have extremely passionate sex in which your body shakes a lot, or a lot of pressure is exerted on your tummy and the uterus.

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